Improvement in animal-traps



S. K. V AU GH AN.

ANIMAL-TRAPS.

195,187;- Patented Sept.11.,18"77 INVENTOR.

WITNESSES ATTORN Eu N.FETERS. FHOTOQLJLVIHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. o O.

UNITED STES Orrron.

STEPHEN K. VAUGHAN, OF MORRISVILLE, VERMONT.

IMPROVEMENT IN ANlMAL-TRAPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 195,187, dated September 11, 1877 application filed February 24, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, STEPHEN K. VAUGHAN, of Morrisville, in the county of Lamoille and State of Vermont, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Rat and Mouse Traps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, 'clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked there- Figure l of the drawings is a representation of a plan view of my rat and mouse trap, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of a modification of my tilting platform; and Fig. 3 is a central vertical sectional View of my rat and mouse trap. Fig. 4 isa plan view ofmy tilting platform, seen in position in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail view thereof.

This invention relates to traps for rats, mice, and other animals; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of the parts hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, A designates a cylindrical casing or can, forming the body of my trap. in the top A of said casing is formed an opening, a, and on said top is fixed a raised rectangular rim or box, B, inclosing said opening. This boxis open at the top and at the front, and the front ends of the sides of said box are slotted obliquely downward and backward at b b, so as to form bearings for the journals 0 c of the trap-door or tilting platform 0. Said slots are made near the bottoms of the ends of said side pieces, so that the said-journals are nearlylevel with top A when inserted for use. Said tilting platform covers said opening a, and is held up against a stop-piece, d, by means of a weigh t, D, formed on or attached to the outer end of a rod, D, which extends at right angles for ward from journal 0. Said rod and journal are preferably in one piece. Stop-piece d is formed on top A, and extends over the rear of opening a, so as to engage the rear end of said tilting platform when the latter is in its normal horizontal position. E designates a fixed platform, extending forward from the front of top A. F designates an ordinary carrying-bail attached to rim or box B.

Platform E facilitates the access of mice, rats, or other animals to box B and tilting platform 0. As soon as any animal has advanced so far as to overcome the resistance of weightD, the said tilting platform tips down and deposits the said animal within casing or trap-body A. Said casing may contain water or pointed stakes for the purpose of killing the said animal; or it may be left empty in order to capture the same alive. Its size, material, and form may be varied to suit the uses to which itis to be applied. This is also true of the other devices hereinbefore described.

Trap-door O, with itsattachments, is shown in detail in Fig. 4.; but a modification shown in Fig. 2 may be substituted therefor. This modification has no weight D or rod D; but substitutes therefor a large projecting platform, G, which is heavy enough to take their place and perform their functions. It also facilitates the access of animals to the trap.

When the weight D is used it maybe made adjustable upon said rod D. A spring may be also substituted therefor, and the tension of said spring may be regulated at will. Various other changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Box or rim B prevents the escape of the animal when the tilting platform 0 falls.

Any suitable kind of bait may be used, and it may be arranged in any convenient manner.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of trap-body A, box B, having slots 1) b and stop (1, and weighted tilting platform (J, having journals 0 0, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for -the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

STEPHEN KIN GSLEY VAUGHAN.

Witnesses:

ORLO OADY, B. B. HAWSE. 

